Inauguration parade, coaching education, and tech updates highlight Lowndes board agenda
Published 9:10 am Friday, January 17, 2025
Photo credits: Lauren Pope. Coached by Taylor Payne & Chris Smith. The Vikings entered the Esports State Tournament with the #1 & #2 ranked teams in the State and included 2 of the 4 teams that made the semi-finals. The team known as the “Valhalla Vroomers”, are the 2024 GHSA Mario Kart 8 Deluxe State Champions.
Photo credits: Lauren Pope. Valerie Henderson, Receptionist at the Lowndes County Board of Education, receiving the One Lowndes Spotlight Award.
Photo credits: Lauren Pope. Pine Grove Elementary School was named a Title One Distinguished School at the Lowndes County Schools Board of Education meeting.
VALDOSTA — The Lowndes County Schools Board of Education convened for a regular meeting on Monday to discuss several key initiatives aimed at enhancing student experiences, safety, and educational excellence.
The meeting featured updates on the district’s efforts to support a nationally recognized band performance, improve athletic coaching, and enhance transportation safety.
Jon Bowman, the Lowndes High School band director, addressed the board about the band’s participation in the Presidential Inauguration Parade. Bowman detailed the band’s excitement about the trip and what they plan to do.
“The kids are fired up; they have worked really hard to get this thing put together in a very, very short amount of time,” stated Bowman. “We are excited to represent not only Lowndes High School but the entire state of Georgia.”
The cost to transport and accommodate the entire band is $228,000. Bowman highlighted ongoing fundraising efforts, including sponsorships, pledged donations, and a raffle to help cover costs.
Athletic Director Danny Redshaw discussed the “A Better Way Athletics Program,” an initiative to provide coaches with empirically based continuing education. This $27,600 program will help coaches across the district improve their skills and provide consistent support for growth. The board added an amendment stating that updates on the program’s performance will be provided.
The Director of Transportation, Matthew Deal, proposed enhancing student safety by installing backup cameras on 11 new school buses. The cameras, which will cost $11,000, aim to improve driver visibility and reduce potential accidents.
The Board unanimously approved all items on the consent agenda, including the cost of the Georgia Bridgemen participating in the Presidential Inauguration Parade, the purchase of 125 Dell desktop computers for $81,125 to ensure the district’s technology infrastructure remains secure and up-to-date as Windows 10 support ends in 2025, the implementation of the “A Better Way Athletics Program,” and the purchase of 11 backup cameras on the buses.
The meeting concluded with a reminder about the second and third public hearings regarding House Bill 581, scheduled for Jan. 23 at noon and 6 p.m.